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Iran moves to mend ties with the West

 
Published Sept. 18, 2013

Tehran, Iran

Iran moves to mend relations

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seemed to put his authority behind Iran's new president Tuesday, calling for "heroic leniency" in navigating the country's diplomatic dispute with the West. President Hasan Rouhani was elected in June on a moderate platform of ending the nuclear standoff with the West and increasing personal freedoms. Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday that Rouhani had exchanged letters with President Barack Obama.

Wilkes Barre, Pa.

Sandusky appeal in judges' hands

Jerry Sandusky's lawyer faced skeptical questioning Tuesday from three judges on the Pennsylvania appeals court over a request to order a new trial in the child sexual abuse case. Arguments include that Sandusky's lawyers didn't have time to prepare for trial, that a prosecutor made improper references to him not testifying and that the judge mishandled jury instructions. The judges did not indicate when they would rule.

Worcester, Mass.

Man gets 27 years in child porn case

A man who chatted online with other men about their desire to kidnap, rape, kill and eat children was sentenced Tuesday to nearly 27 years in prison after prosecutors showed photos of a basement dungeon he built, a child-sized coffin, butchering tools and metal restraints. Prosecutors disputed claims that Geoffrey Portway, 40, of Worcester, was merely fantasizing.

Times wires